Mobile learning involves using portable devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops to access educational content anywhere. It benefits students by allowing more flexible, personalized learning and greater interaction between online students. Teachers must adapt to using new technologies and managing devices in the classroom. While mobile learning provides opportunities, challenges include the costs of devices and technical support as well as monitoring student usage. Overall, mobile learning complements online education by making learning even more accessible for non-traditional students.

1. Kaleigh Herring
Mark Roque
EDUC 635

2.  Any activity that allows individuals to be more productive
when consuming, interacting with, or creating
information, mediated through a compact digital portable
device that the individual carries on a regular basis, has
reliable connectivity, and fits in a pocket or purse.
 Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not
at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that
happens when the learner takes advantage of the
learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies.

3.  Learning with portable devices
• Computers
• MP3 players
• Notebooks
• Cell phones
• iPad’s
• Kindles
• Tablets
 Mobile devices go beyond the realm of PDA’s or smart
phones; included are MP3 players, wireless notebooks and
hand held gaming systems. Android OS devices, Blackberries,
iPhones, and iPads are increasing in popularity for mobile
learning, as more companies develop learning applications
specifically designed for these devices.

4.  Focuses on the learner’s ability to interact
with technologies in order to be successful
in a society that is dependent upon mobile
devices for research and communication.
• Emails
• Text messaging
• Research
• Downloadable texts, video sharing, curriculums,
etc.

5.  1968 - 1970’s
• An American computer scientist (Alan Kay) lead the movement to use
Dynabooks for learning in education.
• Dynabooks: book sized computers designed to be “a personal computer
for children of all ages.”
 The framework:
 Carry anywhere device
 No larger than a notebook/weighs less than 4lbs
 Flat panel display/similar to a book
 Dynamic graphics
 Store at least 500 book pages or several hours of audio
 Internet connection (ideally wireless)
 Rechargeable battery
 Cost under $500
• Dynabooks were never truly created, but the research laid the foundation
for the modern day laptop.

6.  1970’s continued
• Xerox Alto offered children access to learning in
the form of digital media.
 First computer for “personal use”
 Mouse usage
 Not for sale for individual use at home but were in
businesses and educational facilities.
• 1975
 IBM 5000 becomes the first commercially distributed
portable computer

7.  1980’s – 1990’s
• 1984
 Macintosh launches it’s first line of personal computers
that use a mouse and a graphical user interface instead
of a command line.
 Better multitasking abilities
 Not necessary to memorize commands to operate
 More “extras” (fonts, icons)
 1996
 Palm releases the PalmOS which gives students access to
learning through a handheld device.

8.  2000’s
• The Mobile Learning Project is launched to seriously
investigate and engage in mobile learning (2001).
• Google announces its “Book Search” and “Google
Scholar” which have become valuable resources in the
mobile learning movement (2004).
• Quanta produces the XO laptops and sends them to
Shanghai for the “One Laptop per Child” initiative
(2005).
• Apple launches its “iTunes U” application that can be
accessed through the various devices (iPhone, iTouch
and iPad) (2007).
• “Year of the Tablet” (Android, iPad, Kindle, Dell Streak,
HP Slate) (2010).

9.  The Teacher
• Many teachers in the educational system were not
raised or educated through use of today’s modern
mobile devices.
• Continued education is usually necessary for older
teachers still in the field.
 Resistance to new technology
 Frustration with constant changing of technology
 Ability to learn information quickly while still
comprehending the information in order to teach the
students.
 Individuals ability to adapt

10.  Teachers must adjust their style
• Many have been teaching the same way(most
successfully, some not so) for years.
 Many are uncomfortable with technology, not
being “digital natives”
 Management concerns – theft, breakage,
misuse, inappropriate sites
• Studies have shown this to not be as much of an issue
as perceived
 Students know the technology much better

11.  The Student
• The students end up being able to benefit the
most from mobile learning.
 Ability to access quick information from various sources
 Gaining the knowledge to use many of the devices that
students will continue to see throughout their lives; not
only school but also in the workforce.
 Not restricted to a traditional classroom setting,
interactive learning.
 Able to collaborate with others in various locations
around the world.

12.  Time concerns – setting up, planning, etc
 Technical issues – devices that will not
connect to wireless, certain applications
not running, etc
 Keeping up with the rapidly changing
technology is a challenge

13.  iPods
 iPads
 iPhones
 Smart phones
 Android Tablets
 Kindle
 Nook
 Palm OS
 Gaming Systems

14.  A single device can do it all!
 For the same price as a graphing calculator, a
school district can buy handheld devices that
can be used by students for:
• word processing
• online search and retrieval (including e-books)
• testing in all subjects
• Computation
• data acquisition
• visually displaying and processing information
• genuine access to diverse languages and cultures
(Robson, R. Mobile Learning and Handheld Devices)

15.  Delivers information through new media channels and
establishes different learning styles
• Students that excel in an interactive approach are benefiting from the ability to
learn through mobile technologies
 Offers students a personalized approach to learning
• Lectures, lessons and assignments can be tailored on a per student basis and
delivered individually in a format that meets the strengths of the student’s learning
style.
• Students can customize the learning process by becoming adept to the
applications in which they find the most success
 Greater interaction among students in online degree programs
• Capturing media allows students to take pictures, videos and notes on their
mobile devices and send them to an online forum for classmates and professors
to view
 Obtaining information in real time
• Field research conducted away from the computer can now be instantly recorded
and sent to a virtual workspace. This allows the student to focus on gathering
information and reflecting upon the research later.

16.  Ability
to access wireless internet
 Charging docks for multiple
devices/battery life
 Cost of devices/multiple devices
 Replacement/updating of technology
• Also the cost of updating (if any)
 Tech problems/resources to resolve the
issues
 Keeping students on task/monitoring their
usage

17.  Since its beginning, mobile learning has been directly tied to online
education as the platform for both types of education is rooted in the
ability to learn beyond the confines of a classroom.
 More and more students are choosing online degree programs, as
they offer flexibility to balance work and academic schedules.
 Mobile learning compliments the learner’s need for mobility by
providing a learning platform that’s even more portable than a laptop.
 The accessibility of on-the-go education could potentially attract an
entirely untapped group of students who may not have had interest
in continuing their education due to inconvenience.
 The ability to offer an instant response without having to disrupt
one’s schedule is creating new avenues and methods of learning
that appeal to non-traditional students.